Explaining Public Policies

Question 1

Schneider and Ingram quote on SCTP?

Answer 1

“Much of public policy is produced in systems dominated by divisive social constructions that stigmatize some people and extol the virtues of others”

Question 2

What is Social Construction of Target Populations theory?

Answer 2

Theory that policy design creates inequalities between citizens, which impacts on their democratic engagement

Question 3

Four groups in SCTP theory?

Answer 3

Strong: Advantaged (Des) and Contenders (Undes)
Weak: Dependents (Des) and Deviants (Undes)

Question 4

Three main elements of SCTP theory?

Answer 4

1. Degenerative policy systems make citizens policy targets. Constructions created through images
2. Constructions of targets endure in policy design and ‘feed forward’ ie. reward advantaged, punish deviants
3. Influences public’s relationship to democracy

Question 5

Criticisms of SCTP theory?

Answer 5

Different places treat same groups in different ways
Target categorisations can change over time
Target groups aren’t homogenous - people belong to multiple groups

Question 6

How was the LGB community viewed before 1960s?

Answer 6

Deviants
1885 Criminal Law Amendment Act Section 11 made acts of homosexuality prosecutable under “gross indecency”
1950s saw record high policing of homosexuals (to strong political payoff)

Question 7

How did LGB community move from deviants to dependents?

Answer 7

1967 Sexual Offences Act
Decriminalised homosexual acts in private between men aged 21 and over
Medical frame was important as psychologists identified it was not a choice

Question 8

LGB community shifted back to deviant group in 1980s. Why?

Answer 8

HIV/AIDS epidemic in 1980s

Homosexuals blamed for epidemic and reestablishment of “unnatural people” viewpoint

Question 9

Poll: Are sexual relations between two people of the same sex wrong?
1983 v 1987

Answer 9

1983: 62% yes
1987: 74% yes
AIDS epidemic impact
1987 General election saw Conservative campaign attacking Labour’s soft stance on homosexual education

Question 10

What happened in 1988 to confirm LGB community’s position as deviants?

Answer 10

Section 28 of the Local Government Act
Banned “promotion” and education about homosexuality by local authorities
Stated that it is “a pretended family relationship”

Question 11

LGB community reaction to Section 28?

Answer 11

United the movement as one for the first time via the Stonewall campaign group
Mobilisation of gay people to come out in great numbers
Counter-construction to human rights frame

Question 12

Does LGB communities reaction to Section 28 fit with SCTP theory prediction?

Answer 12

Not really
The group’s alienation did not discourage them from participation, but actually made them more unified and active in political process

Question 13

By 1990s, which group did LGB community fit in to?

Answer 13

Arguably contenders
Gay cabinet members like Nick Brown and Ron Davies (gay mafia fears)
Stonewall’s response in 1989 shows strength
Policy wins through courts not government

Question 14

By 2000s, which group had LGB moved to?

Answer 14

Arguably advantaged
2002 given adoption rights
2007 Equalities Act
2014 Same Sex Marriage Act

Question 15

How many LGBT MPs in Parliament 2019?

Answer 15

45

Question 16

Poll: Homosexual relations between consenting adults are morally wrong?
1989 vs 2019

Answer 16

1989: 40% agree
2019: 13% agree

Question 17

Dunlop and Radaelli quote on policy learning?

Answer 17

the “updating of beliefs based on lived or witnessed experiences, analysis or social interaction”

Question 18

What is policy learning theory?

Answer 18

Learning that is the pursuit of changing goals and engaging with both anticipated and unexpected events

Question 19

What is homo discentis?

Answer 19

Humans learn through doing

Humans make mistakes in their learning

Question 20

What are the two principles that intersect to form the learning modes typology?

Answer 20

Actor certification and problem tractability (low = hard to solve; high = easy)

Question 21

What are four learning modes?

Answer 21

Low AC: Reflexive learning (Low PT) and Learning through Bargaining (High PT)
High AC: Epistemic learning (Low PT) and Learning in the shadow of hierarchy (High PT)

Question 22

Epistemic learning

Answer 22

Policymaking is informed by experts

Question 23

Reflexive learning

Answer 23

Learning is society-driven

Ordinary people help generate knowledge

Question 24

Learning through bargaining

Answer 24

Organised interests (pressure groups) generate new information and understandings through their interactions

Question 25

Learning in the shadow of hierarchy

Answer 25

Learning is enforced through rules and the standard setters (courts, gov regualtors) that enforce them

Question 26

Three issues with fire regulation revealed by Grenfell Tower fire in 2017

Answer 26

1. Cladding system encourages quick spread of fire 2. Ineffectiveness of fire brigade's 'stay put' policy 3. Persistence of no sprinklers, despite refurbishment

Question 27

Grenfell Tower problem tractability?

Answer 27

High | Regulation of building materials seen as simple and routine

Question 28

Grenfell Tower actor certification?

Answer 28

Mixed Building companies (interest groups) Courts (standard setters) Focus is profitability for construction companies, acheived through minimal regulation

Question 29

Grenfell Tower fire learning modes?

Answer 29

Bargaining - building companies work with local authorities to keep regulation low and materials cheap Hierarchical - application of minimal regulations that favour loose approach to quality of building materials

Question 30

Which learning mode was ignored in Grenfell Tower fire?

Answer 30

Epistemic - no changes after Lakanal House fire 2009 Reflexive - Grenfell Residents’ Action Group warning ignored; lack of consultation mechanisms in Kensington & Chelsea Tenant Management Association

Question 31

Criticisms of Policy learning theory?

Answer 31

Little consideration of learning depth Hard to quantify Doesn't apply to macro level

Question 32

Learning modes Universal Credit?

Answer 32

Hierarchical - used experiences of civil servants to help implement Epistemic - consulted experts who dealt with social security reform in Australia

Question 33

Learning results Universal Credit?

Answer 33

``` December 2012 (pre-learning) projection: net cost of £0.9 billion for implementing UC compared to old system March 2016 (post-learning) projection: net saving of £0.5 billion Learned how to make process cheaper by cutting work allowances and and changing income thresholds ```